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Mario ChamleeAmerican opera singer (tenor)
Date of Birth: 29.05.1892
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Mario Chamlee
American opera singer (tenor), Mario Chamlee, made his debut in 1916 as Edgardo in the tragic opera 'Lucia di Lammermoor' under the Lombardi Opera Company. Born in 1892 in Los Angeles, California, Chamlee was originally named Archer Cholmondeley. He was the son of a minister and began learning to play the violin at a young age. He later became a student at the University of Southern California, where he studied languages and music.
Chamlee first trained his tenor voice in Los Angeles before moving to New York City to further his studies. In 1916, he made his debut as Edgardo in 'Lucia di Lammermoor' with the Lombardi Opera Company. A year later, Chamlee embarked on a tour with the Aborn Opera Company, where he performed alongside soprano Ruth Miller. In 1919, Miller became his wife.
During World War I, Chamlee served two and a half years in the Argonne Players, an entertainment division that entertained troops on the front lines. After the war, he was personally chosen by General Pershing to perform before the delegates of the Paris Peace Conference in 1919.
Upon returning to the United States, Chamlee began working with the Scotti Opera Company. On November 20, 1920, he made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Cavaradossi in 'Tosca.' Over time, Chamlee's powerful and beautiful tenor voice established him as one of the most brilliant performers of tragic tenor roles after the legendary Enrico Caruso. He appeared and was highly sought after in Europe and America, performing at the Paris Opera, Brussels Théâtre de la Monnaie, Deutsches Theater in Prague, as well as the Ravinia Summer Opera in Chicago, San Francisco Opera, and many other prestigious opera venues.
Chamlee exclusively recorded for Brunswick Records. Despite his popularity and commercial success, Chamlee never achieved the same level of recognition as his famous predecessor, Caruso. It is widely believed that Chamlee's talent was somewhat underrated. As time went on, he began to be forgotten, and at the age of 47, Chamlee retired from the opera stage to focus on private teaching.
